Portable cable carrier system and method

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic cable carrier, which can be securely attached to and released from a keychain or similar device. Electronic cables may be removably released from the portable carrier for usage and then securely locked back into place around the portable cable carrier, which in addition to storing the cable also protects the cable connector ends.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent application document contains material that is subject to copyright protection including the drawings. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present application relates to the field of organizing electronic cords. More specifically, the application relates to a portable devices configured to carry electronic cords.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There have been reportedly over 350 million devices sold by Apple Computer which use the specialized USB cable for power and synchronization of their devices, referred to as a “Sync cable.” Portable electronic devices, such as those sold Apple, are often used all day long, which drains the internal rechargeable batteries. Having a sync cable on hand while being near any modern computer or other USB power source, allows recharging of one's tablet or smart phone by plugging into that USB port.

These cables may break or get misplaced, and often take up too much room to fit comfortably in a pocket or purse. The ends of electronic cables are also subject to breakage, by dropping them, being stepped on, bending, and other stresses due to use.

Some electronic cable holders, such as retractable Ethernet cable holders, have been developed to store a cable within a small case or holder; however, these do not also protect the end connectors. The longer electronic cables are not always desired, because they cause the device to be bulkier or add additional stresses to the cables themselves. Some cable holders have shorter cords; however, the holder itself again tends to get in the way of ease of use. This is particularly the case, when keys or other items may be attached to the cable holder. These other holders that do have a through-hole for a keychain also, tend to be very difficult to add to or remove from a keychain. Thus, adding more bulkiness to the system as one tries to use an electronic sync cable with an attached holder and set of keys all positioned between a portable electronic device and the host computer or power source.

Therefore a device is needed that is not bulky, can easily be added to and removed from a keychain, such that the cable can separately detach from the holder and does not require an unnecessary length of electronic cable to be used or stored within the holder.

The present application seeks to solve the above stated concerns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention, shown in the drawings, are more fully described in the Detailed Description section. It is to be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in the Detailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that there are numerous modifications, equivalents, and alternative constructions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

One portable cable carrier embodiment described herein includes a main body or housing having an attachment hook extending from a proximal end; a first cavity formed within the main body on the proximal end that is configured to be mated with an electronic connector; a second cavity formed on the distal end of the main body that is configured to be mated with a separate electronic connector; and at least one open channel along a side of the main body that is configured to retain a portion of an electronic cord, wherein the attachment hook and main body together form a partially-enclosed through-hole or aperture.

This and other embodiments are described in more detail herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a portable cable carrier.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of a portable cable carrier.

FIG. 3 illustrates a left-side view of a portable cable carrier.

FIG. 4 illustrates a right-side view of a portable cable carrier.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of a portable cable carrier.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of a portable cable carrier.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective front-side view of a portable cable carrier.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective back-side view of a portable cable carrier.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portable cable carrier.

FIG. 10 illustrates a portable cable carrier attached to the cord portion of an electronic cable.

FIG. 11 illustrates an electronic cable attached to a portable cable carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present application seeks to provide a solution to the aforementioned problems by creating a portable electronic cable carrier device that protects the connector ends of an electronic cable, easily attaches to and removes from a keychain, allows the complete removability of an electronic cable, and is configured to securely lock the carrier and cable around an object, such as a keychain ring, so a force on the portion secured to the keychain ring will not release the carrier and cable.

For purposes of this application, a detent may refer to, but is not limited to, any of a catch, spring-operated ball, cavity, hole, channel, opening, slit, or other mechanism configured for positioning and holding one mechanical component in relation to another in a manner such that the components may be released by applying a force to one or both of the components. In some instances the detent is configured to temporarily keep a component in a certain position relative to that of another, wherein the components may be released from each other by applying a force to one or both components. The detent may also be configured in a manner that the force required to release the connected mechanical components is required to be in a specific direction or plane.

FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of an embodiment of a portable cable carrier 100 having a proximal cavity 120, distal cavity 130, rounded edges 102 and 104, extending sidewalls 106, and attachment hook 108 extending from the main body portion 105 of carrier 100. A partially-enclosed through-hole or aperture 110 is formed between attachment hook 108 and the main body 105 portion of 100. It will be shown and discussed below that partially-enclosed through-hole 108 is configured to receive a portion of keychain ring or other device and act as a catch. Together, partially-enclosed through-hole 110 and a mated electronic cable form a completely enclosed through-hole, which may be securely attached to a keychain ring or other similar device.

The attachment hook 108, as discussed, is configured to form part of a partially-enclosed through-hole, and is also used as a locking fulcrum mechanism. For example, a sync cable having a USB connector on one end and a 30-pin connector on the other end, may securely lock around portable cable carrier 100, by mating the USB connector end into the proximal cavity 120, routing the cable portion of the sync cable around the attachment hook 108, along the side channel 150, through open channel 140, around side channel 152 where the cable portion connects with the second 30-pin connector and then mating the 30-pin connector into distal cavity 130. (See FIG. 11) For this embodiment, the depth and width of cavity 120 only allow the USB connector end to be inserted straight in and out of the cavity with the cable portion bent around the attachment hook 108, as the blunt face 109 of attachment hook 108 juxtaposes a side wall of the USB connector and functions as a locking fulcrum. Again the angle and height of the attachment hook leverages the side of a connector end against it while a portion of the cable is wrapped around the attachment hook, through the open channel 140 onto the distal end where the second connector is inserted into the second cavity 130.

When attempting to remove the USB connector end a force is created in the opposite direction and actually pulls the 30-pin connector portion into cavity portion 130. Since the distal end of the main body 105 does not have a attachment hook the 30-pin connector end may be inserted into the cavity portion 130 in a slightly rotating manner. Detents along the sides of the 30-pin connector may secure it into cavity 130. However, a slightly rotating force allows for the 30-pin connector to be rotatably removed from cavity 130. It should be noted that the internal portion of cavity 130 may be configured to function as detent for electronic connectors that may be devoid of a catch or detent. Again, a force on the USB side increases tension or force in the cable, while the attachment hook prevents removal, because it directs the cable to pull or put a force on the 30-pin connector that is not in the same direction and slightly rotating that would allow the 30-pin connector to be released, which in turn also prevents the USB connector end from being released. A force (and in this embodiment slightly rotating force) on the 30-pin connector, however, releases the connector from cavity 130 and allows for the cable to slidably move within the channels releasing any tension on the USB connector side and allowing for the removal of the USB connector from cavity 120. FIGS. 10-11 illustrate a sync cable and a portable cable carrier separated, and shows a portion of the cable within an open channel, and a view with both ends inserted into cavities 120 and 130 forming the combination of the cable and carrier system, which may be connected to a keychain ring.

FIG. 2 illustrates the back view of portable cable carrier 100 again showing the openings to the proximal cavity portion 120 and distal cavity portion 130, rounded edges 112 and 114, open channel 140 and extending sidewalls 106. The extending sidewalls 106 may help guide one of the end connectors into cavity 130 and aid the aesthetic look and feel of the holder as it conforms to the shape of the connector ends. In some embodiments, sidewalls 106 are unnecessary while in other embodiments they may act as a smaller attachment hook, where the angle is not as great. Often the side walls of cavity 130 do not have as tight of tolerances as those of 120 when compared to the connector end piece they are configured to receive. This allows for cavity 120 to be securely locked when force is being applied in any direction and the other end to be securely locked when force is being applied in all directions except a specific direction.

FIG. 3 illustrates the left-side view of 100 showing a sidewall channel 150 that guides the cable along a portion of the left side of 100 around a rounded corner 116 into open channel 140. As shown, a lip 142 is formed into channel 140 and acts as a detent around the cord or cable portion. Cords or cables may be press-fit into open channel 140 and once inserted, may slidably move about open channel 140. Again a force applied on the cable portion pulling it away from channel 140 will release the cable from carrier 100. This embodiment shown also has a rounded ridge 114 along the sidewall channel 150. This rounded edge is optional as many of the rounded edges are; however the rounded edges may prevent snagging, helping the cable to slidably move about or be inserted in the channel or portion of the carrier 100 and look and feel pleasing to the user.

FIG. 4 illustrates the right-side view of 100 showing sidewall 152 on the lower or distal portion of main body 105 with rounded corners 118 and 152. In this view, sidewall channel 152 is also shown to be formed conforming to the curved attachment hook 108. Sidewall channels may not be necessary in all embodiments, but may help guide the cord portion of an electronic cable better and allow better sliding of the cord portion.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of carrier 100, better illustrating proximal cavity 120, while FIG. 6 illustrates the bottom view of carrier 100, better illustrating distal cavity 130. It should be noted that proximal and distal, up and down, top and bottom or used for reference purposes, and the embodiments shown herein as well as others contemplated are not to be constrained by these terms.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate perspective front and back-side views of carrier 100.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of carrier 100 showing the depth of cavities 120 and 130 with respect to open channel 140. Again, it is within the scope of this application to configure cavities 120 and 130 to fit a variety of electronic connector ends of which a variety of USB connectors (A, B, mini, micro), 30-pin, Firewire, Ethernet, and other connectors are contemplated. For example, a portable electronic cable carrier embodiment may be configured to receive and securable lock into place an electronic cable having two USB connector ends according to the aspects listed above. Thus, cavities 120 and 130 would be configured to be similar in size; with cavity 130 configure to be a detent. Also shown, is the rounded edge 134, which allows a connector end mated to cavity 130 to be removed easier.

FIG. 10 illustrates portable cable carrier system 200 wherein a portion of the sync cable cord 225 is inserted into open channel 140 of the portable cable carried wherein both connector ends (210,240) of the sync cable are exposed. The exposed connector ends 210 and 240 are available to be in use. In some instances, the length of the cable is sufficiently long to attach an electronic portable device to a host computer, while the carrier is still attached to the cord portion 225 of the sync cable. As mentioned, cord 225 may be press-fit into open channel 140 and once in the channel free to slide along the length of the channel. This allows each connector to be inserted into the cavity of the portable cable connector and then securely locked into place as discussed above or used to connect devices. The pin portions 212 and 242 of each connector end 210 and 240 may be protected when inserted into their corresponding cavity 120 and 130. A gripping or head portion 214 and 244 allows a user to grab the connector end.

Alternatively, and not shown, the short sync cable may be completely separated from the removable portable cable carrier. This allows for the portable carrier to not interfere with the interface connection between a portable electronic device and host computer or power source. This is particularly useful where minimal physical interference is desired. Another advantages of this type of system is a keychain or key ring may be easily removed also minimizes the amount of physical structure between an electronic device and host computer. Another advantage of the ability to completely detach a short sync cable is it allows any sync cable that malfunctions to be replaced while not having to replace the portable cable carrier.

FIG. 11 illustrates a portable cable carrier system 205 wherein an electronic or sync cable is completely attached to a portable cable carrier and each connector end 210 and 240 is inserted into their corresponding cavity on the carrier. The cord portion 225 of the cable is woven from connector end 210 along one side of the carrier through the open channel 140 and along the opposite side where it attaches to connector end 240. The partially enclosed through-hole 110 in system 205 has now become a completely enclosed through-hole or aperture when the carrier receives connector 210 into cavity 120. In this configuration a key chain or ring may be securely attached to the carrier. Attachment hook 108 may actually be manufactured to have a thicker cross-section making it more sturdy because of the ease of attaching a key ring when the connector is not mated in the proximal cavity 120.

It should be noted although many thicknesses and materials may be used for the attachment hook 108, one that is strong enough to act as a locking fulcrum is desired. In fact, one of the downsides to other cable carriers is that the thickness of the walls of the other carriers needs to be of a certain dimension in order to provide adequate support, thus making it difficult to get key chain rings on and off. Alternatively as contemplated in the embodiments with a partially-enclosed through-hole, the key chain ring may be looped over the attachment hook 108 with the connector end 210 coming through the ring prior to being mated with the matching cavity portion 120. Again, once the second connector 240 is inserted into cavity portion 130, the partially-enclosed through-hole 110, now becomes completely-enclosed and securely and removably locked.

In other embodiments it is contemplated to have a completely-enclosed through-hole, wherein a sync cable or other electronic cable may be securely attached to the carrier.

It is contemplated that the portable cable carriers described herein may be manufactured from a single piece of material, multiple pieces press-fit or glued together, or other techniques including inserting an internal rib framework to make the portable cable carrier lightweight and strong.

In other embodiments multiple open channels exist to accommodate electronic cables with a longer cord portion. The extra channels allow for additional tacking back and forth within the main body portion of the portable cable carrier.

While several embodiments have been described herein that are exemplary of the present invention, one skilled in the art will recognize additional embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable cable carrier comprising: a body comprising: a first cavity formed on the proximal end of the body, a second cavity formed on the distal end of the body, an open channel formed along one side of the body, and an attachment hook extending from the proximal end of the body, wherein the first and second cavities are configured to mate with connectors of an electronic cable, wherein the open channel is configured to receive a portion of a cord of an electronic cable, and wherein the attachment hook and the proximal end of the body form a partially-enclosed aperture.
 2. The portable cable carrier of claim 1, wherein the attachment hook is configured to be a locking fulcrum about which a two-connector electronic cable may be securely locked into place.
 3. The portable cable carrier of claim 1, wherein the first and second cavity protect the connectors of an electronic cable.
 4. The open channel of claim 1, further including a lip portion configured to function as a detent.
 5. The portable cable carrier of claim 1, further configured to form a completely-enclosed aperture with one end of a mated electronic cable.
 6. The portable cable carrier of claim 1, wherein a detent is formed in the second cavity.
 7. The portable cable carrier of claim 1, further including at least one sidewall channel configured to guide a portion of an electronic cable.
 8. A removably self-contained electronic cable system comprising: an electronic cable having two electronic connector ends connected by a cord; and a body comprised of: a first cavity formed on the proximal end of the body, a second cavity formed on the distal end of the body, an open channel formed along one side of the body, and an attachment hook extending from the proximal end of the body, wherein the first and second cavities are configured to mate with the connector ends of the electronic cable, wherein the open channel is configured to receive a portion of the cord of the electronic cable, wherein the attachment hook, the proximal end of the body, one of the connector ends mated with the first cavity form a completely-enclosed aperture, and wherein the body is configured to removably secure the electronic cable. 